The Marlins were known to be interested in reuniting with Starling Marte, and The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson (Twitter link) reports that the Fish have already stepped up with an offer for the free agent outfielder. Since Marte is still gathering interest from many teams, “no decision [is] imminent” on either the Marlins’ offer or whatever might be floated by another club. The 33-year-old Marte has plenty of leverage to work with as the top everyday center fielder of this year’s free agent class, though the Marlins’ early offer does indicate their laser focus on ways to upgrade their lineup.
It could be interesting to observe if the Marlins could be similarly aggressive in approaching other free agents with offers — should such an offer be floated towards a player with fewer options than Marte, Miami might be able to strike a quick deal. In Marte’s case, however, the Marlins now have to contend with such known suitors as the Yankees, Phillies, and Mets, plus any other clubs that might yet emerge. The Astros could be another team in the mix, as MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (via Twitter) that Houston met with Marte’s agents.
More from around the league….
- The Phillies have interest in re-signing Hector Neris and the team will also tender a contract to Seranthony Dominguez, president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski told reporters (including NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury). Neris has generally pitched well over his eight seasons in Philly, though some high-profile blowups and down periods have made him an unreliable choice as closer. “We’d prefer to bring him back as a non-ninth-inning guy. That would be our hope,” Dombrowski said, and since Neris also expressed an openness to any bullpen role back in September, there would appear to be some common ground. As for Dominguez, he underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2020 and made it back to pitch one inning in the Phils’ last game of the 2021 campaign. The Phillies already opted to tender Dominguez a contract last winter in his first year of arbitration eligibility, so it stands to reason that they’d retain him now that he should be healthy to pitch. Dominguez is projected for an $800K salary in 2022.
- The Blue Jays’ interest in Andrew Heaney included “a strong offer” for the lefty’s services before Heaney signed with the Dodgers, Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi writes. Despite a rough 2021 season, Heaney’s peripherals were intriguing enough that Toronto, Los Angeles, and at least two other teams were known to be considering a signing.
- Former Cubs senior VP Jason McLeod could be close to a new job, as McLeod tells NBC Sports Chicago’s Gordon Wittenmyer that “There’s three or four teams I’m talking to a little more intently [than others] about potentially joining them in an executive position. It’s still determined what the exact roles would be.” McLeod has a long association with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer dating back to their time together in the Red Sox front office, and McLeod left the Cubs last month after a decade-long run in Wrigleyville. McLeod didn’t mention specifics about his potential suitors but he hasn’t heard from the Mets about their front office vacancy.
Marte to Houston. Bang bang.
People still think this is funny. *sigh*
They live pathetic lives and all they have to do is regurgitate the same jokes that have been said for 4 years. Let the sad sad people be
I prefer this outdated joke over the one about the Marlins will sign Marte to trade him at the deadline.
Though he has been better at laying off of low and away sliders in recent years, Marte swings at a lot of pitches both in and out of the strike zone and ends up with a .280ish batting average every year. Nowhere near as drastic as Vlad Guerrero Sr. but probably the closest as anyone else in today’s game at getting doubles from pitches 5 inches outside the strike zone. He doesn’t need trash cans.
You’re right. This was his story here in Pittsburgh. Hard worker, good guy, but a real sucker for breaking pitches in the dirt. And not the smartest base runner, for all the speed he has. The guy has suffered tragedy and worked his way out of dire circumstances back home. Glad he’s drawing interest
He actually has run the bases well in Miami. But the coaching here emphasizes and works on the running game with our team, so that’s why he’s probably run well for us.
Dombrowski has to fill a bullpen.
Don’t know how much money or years Hector Neris is looking for. Do know that his overall stats are deceiving – he doesn’t pitch well under pressure and is incredibly inconsistent. In fact, oftentimes when he gets out of innings it was nail-biting time. He seldom pitches clean innings.
Bringing him in as a 3rd or 4th or 5th set-up man for a reasonable amount would probably work – after all, the Phillies are desperate for bullpen help. On the days he sucks it would give Girardi time to get him out of the game before it gets out of hand, and allow the Phillies hitters a few innings to still win the game.
Between Neris and Jose Alvarado I had to stop watching Phillies games. More than half the time they came in they couldn’t find the plate. Nothing worse than a relief pitcher that comes in and walks the first batter, then goes 2-0 and 3-1 to the next.
I don’t watch many Phillies games, but it seems Neris will be lightsout for a few weeks/a month but then will get demolished the next 2 weeks.
accurate, but more like “good for a week and demolished for a month”
It’s because he essentially has 1 good pitch and familiar division rivals just sit on it.
Lol
Upvoted it.
Stay chipper misterlol
No one cares that you upvoted it
Neither Neris or Seranthony are gonna be expensive, might as well keep both as middle relievers and sign a higher lever reliever for the later innings. As a Pirates fan I hope Braeden Ogle stays healthy and establishes himself in the big leagues too.
The more I think about it, the more I think the Yankees would be better off aiming for Starling Marte, a mid level starting pitcher(like Anthony DeSclafani or John Gray) and a stop gap SS like Freddy Galvis rather than go after a really expensive SS like Correa or Seager. Probably cost them about the same and would commit them over a much shorter period of time. According to the latest prospect rankings from Baseball America 4 of the Yankee’s top 10 prospects are infielders ( Volpe #1, Peraza #2, Sweeney #7, and Cabrera # 8). Something to consider.
@Mickey777 While I don’t disagree with you, those specific signings don’t move the needle much especially while going over the LTT. Might as well leave Torres at SS (*fingers-crossed*) while waiting for those prospects to continue development. A mid-rotation starter is fairly easy to acquire at the trade deadline if guys like Wade Miley can be had off waivers.
Two things YBC….leaving Torres at SS would be horrible idea which would not only affect the infield defense negatively, but also negate any offensive production expected from him….numerous reports and an admittance from him that playing short affected his hitting…..
Secondly, like all Yankee fans….getting tired of waiting for prospects to develop…..wasn’t long ago that Florial was touted as “can’t miss” and the Yankees leadoff CF’er of the future and where is he now……time is cruel and expecting Volpe to not hit any walls in his development which very well could push his ML availability to 2023-2024 at best is too long to wait. who knows whether any of these prospect guys will actually move the needle at the ML level….Yankees haven’t been to the WS since 2009 and sit and watch teams like the Sox dominate.
I have to agree with many fans….Hal has the money, they just need to spend it wisely on a FA that will move the needle and get them into the WS again!
Mickey if they go that route I would be in favor of Ducky’s suggestion of trading for DeJong.
It’s also probably the smarter move to stay away from Correa, Story et al. With all that money committed to just a few players (assuming they keep Judge next year) on long term contracts, they will have a top heavy lineup with nearly no roster flexibility for the next 3 or 4 years.
Paul DeJong…..REALLY…..the guy hit .197 last year….might as well stay in house if he’s the savior…..this guy will be 3 seasons past his All Star year…..if you want a glove first, no hit SS who is proven, then go with Simmons at SS for the time being!
DeJong has the potential to rebound. Simmons, and Galvis too, are what they are. Though Galvis is a switch hitter.
@rocky7 Always good to ignore all but the most recent year of a players career, if you want a true picture of them.
DeJong has a good glove and his fly ball centric batting approach will certainly lead to more HR if he moves to tiny Yankee Stadium and gets to play his road games in the rest of the East.
Not saying he’s the savior, but it’s not a horrible idea.
Joe, Yes Ducky’s suggestion of a trade for DeJong is worth exploring as well. Part of my strategy is also to trade for Matt Olsen, to a certain extent the more players I can get without using up my tradeable commodities the better, so for my money Galvis is probably a better choice.
I can’t believe Marte stole 47 bags. On top of everything else he does, that’s damn impressive at age 32. Henderson level.
Stealing bases are a dying art. Trea Turner led the NL with 32. Will 2022 be the first year we see the leader steal fewer than 30 bases in a season and lead their league since Willie Mays in 1959?
@mlb1225 Along with sac bunts and suicide squeeze. I get excited now whenever I see a double steal. Hell… even bulldozing catchers at the plate was a skill. There is no emphasis on 30-30 seasons anymore.
Managers don’t give away outs anymore. SB% needs to be around 75% to make it efficient. Grady Little gets hammered for not taking out Pedro, but the more egregious strategy were too many SB attempts. 2 SB/5 CS cost us the series.
Henderson level?
Not even close. Silly statement.
Yes, I was thinking the same thing. Henderson would steal his 47th base 3 months into the season.
FishFB-
In his 30’s? Also, the more impressive number with Marte is the 5 CS. That percentage of success is actually better than Henderson.
Henderson had 58 steals at 32. 66 at 39.
I should have known that statement would bring out you party poopers lol.
“Heaney’s peripherals were intriguing”
He’s not wrong. Heaney’s pitches have good movement and high spin rates. The problem is he leaves them in the middle of the zone too much allowing hard-contact.
Well, won’t disparage your comment about “movement and high spin rate” but after watching this guy in every appearance he made for the Yankees last year, he pretty much got beaten like a drum….not every inning, but he pretty consistently was hit not just hard but “rocket hard” all over the park.
Just another example of “Movement and spin rate” analytics being a tad overstated against what your eyes see!
Glad to see the Dodgers think they can “fix” everyone but also glad he’s in the Yankees rear view mirror.
He was no doubt atrocious last year, particularly for the NYY, but you also can’t ignore his three previous seasons with an ERA+ of 99. I was hoping to get him for the RS on a cheap contract, like $8M/2. He could easily melt down, but he had almost a 4/1 K/W from 2018/2020. IMHO, that’s worth a gamble.
Ahhhh…I remember the analytics guys that kept saying that Ricky Nolasco was elite because of these observations.
The only thing was that the eyeball test and actual results said that Ricky Nolasco was mediocre at best.
Heaney is like that eBay car that looks good on paper and in static photos, but when you actually see and drive the vehicle in person, you’re wondering WTH you were thinking.
By all accounts he’s a great guy and we routed for him in SoCal, but at some point he needs to produce some consistency.
I honestly thought Marte would get offers of around 3 years/$39M to 4 years/$55M but it’s increasingly looking like he’ll get 4 years/$80M to 5 years/$120M, possibly even an insane 6 years/$150M, just based on the competition for his services and the bids driving each other up by a year and $1M here and there.
He’ll garner plenty of interest, but doubt teams will overpay. 4/60 or possibly 4/70 would be the ceiling in my opinion as opposed to 6/150. Lorenzo Cain is a good comparison for both the contract as well as potential performance.
Good Comp, except Cain is more injury prone. I think he gets 4 for 80.
Cain came off a 155 game season before free agency and the first two years in Milwaukee he played 141 and 148. Injury wise it was only this year as last year he opted out due to Covid. 4/80 is certainly possible, but at 33 it’s certainly a risk for a player who is being signed based on speed.
6/150 lol
Springer got 150/6 and he was years younger and a better player. I doubt Marte gets anywhere close to 150 or 6 years
Yeah I can’t even understand why he made that comment. There’s no chance of him getting that much.
The most you can sign him for is 3 years for 60 with a 4th year option. One reason he is attracting interest was he seemed to be affordable.
This might be the year of the older Free Agent. Smart teams don’t want to get tied down with a 10 yr contract.
I have a feeling Tatis and Lindor made out like bandits with those huge contracts
Tatis would have been insane to turn that deal down with how often he gets hurt. I agree that the Lindor deal looks like a disaster already.
Not so sure why Jason McLeod’s stock has fallen so much. After his great drafts in Boston and initially in Chicago, he was considered a slam dunk GM. If the Mets don’t even want him, that is bad.
I truly don’t understand teams that have a fascination with Andrew Heaney. The guy record is not that great and plus he is injured a lot. To offer that amount of money to someone who’s track record is not good is mind boggling.
Heaney is shaping up to be the poor man’s Danny Jackson. Will eat innings when healthy, always overpaid, and his overall results will be underwhelming. There were always teams vying for his services despite his red flags, and that seems to be the case with Heaney as well.
Marte back to fish.
Don’t do that. You’re always wrong with your predictions. Don’t eliminate us from competition already.
And tell your buddy @MetsFan22 to not predict the Marlins as the World Series Champions either.
You two just stick to predicting stuff for your Mets.
Why wouldn’t you want Marte.
By the way, I always predicted him becoming a Met.
But not this time.
Mets will not get anyone new and finish 4th.
Trust me. I wouldn’t need to predict that
Their offer he turned down was… 3 years/$33M or $39M or something, right? With all the interest in Marte, he may wind up with a deal in the range of 4-6 years with a $20-25M AAV. Would Miami really make that kind of commitment?
I think Miami is focused on 3 years, which is the reason that they couldn’t extend him because he wants at least 4 guaranteed. I’m thinking if the Marlins get him, it will be with 3 guaranteed and then an additional year either with a team or vesting option – maybe even 2 additional years with those options. There may even be a decent buyout for any additional years beyond the guaranteed 3.
He’s definitely not getting six years. Like at all. Players that age very rarely get six years on the market. And the few instances of it were players who were elite. Marte is a great player, but he’s not elite although he just had ONE elite season.
Braves sign Marte. Acuna in right,one or two of Soler/Rosario/Waters/Joc in left. Aside from Soler they can all play passable centerfield for Marte’s off days. Who is only getting older not younger. 5/75 maybe
@myself Forgot Duvall’s arbitration so really one of the others mentioned.
He’s definitely going back to the Marlins. The dude never wanted to leave and they never really wanted to trade him. It has just always felt to me as if he was going to be wearing a Marlins uniform one way or another in 2022. If they can sign him, trade for a solid backstop, add a few more bullpen arms, and maybe add a bat on the left side of the diamond then they can be competitive next year. And this team definitely has the available budget to do all those things and more with all the new money and lack of big contracts. Only issue is this year’s free agent market doesn’t fit their needs very well….
Please just let Neris go we don’t need to be stuck with him for 3 or 4 more years we have seen it all MOVE ON.Do not overpay for Marte see if you can sign him if not move on.Do
not get stuck with these 2 clowns and overpay.There are too many other players out there
better than those two.
I can see Hector Scare Us getting a one year deal with a club option.
Not even 1yr move on from this joker pitchers like him are a dime a dozen.Time to change it up.